Page 23 of Not A Chance

The thunk of an arm across my back jolted me out of my existential crisis. Campbell, the more tactile of the two, gripped my shoulder and gave me a hard pat on the bicep.

“You’da missed out on our sparkling personalities, then. What a loss that would have been.”

Michaels reached around my back to give his alternate captain an affectionate shove. Campbell let his arm drop.

“Man, way to ruin a moment. I’m trying to be all supportive and shit here. Can’t you pretend to be serious for a minute?”

Rubbing his arm as if Michaels had really hurt him, Campbell gave him an exaggerated pout.

“Aw, Cap, I was bein’ serious. Who would want to miss out on all this?” He gestured to all of himself.

The warmth of his slight Southern accent was contagious. A small smile formed on my lips before I could stop it. God knows it didn’t seem like Campbell needed any encouragement in the joker department.

“Nah, it’s all good, guys. I was too comfortable in Vancouver. It’s not a bad thing to shake things up. My game’s going to be better for it.” The words were ash on my tongue. I struggled to imagine successfully integrating myself with the Tempests.

“Shit, Yao. Your game gets much better and we’ll lose you to another trade before the end of the season. It was a stroke of lightning that management got you in the first place,” Campbell chuckled, knocking my arm gently with his elbow.

Nodding my thanks, I couldn’t lie. I didn’t mind his praise. Coming from a damn good player, it meant something, especially since a constant undercurrent of worry had plagued me all of last season.

Until I figured out what I wanted to happen next, I couldn’t bearthe sense of purpose I’d found in hockey being ripped away from me.

“Yeah, also, Campbell doesn’t like anyone to take the attention off him. He’s a bit precious that way.” The captain’s shoulders shook with laughter at his friend’s expense.

It was clear that these two had a strong bond. It took a bit of the pressure off my chest to know that they could have this after only a few years. It boded well for the rest of the team being welcoming too.

“Alright. Enough of the support shit talk. Tell us, Yao, you got a girl back in Vancouver? Or San Jose—that’s where you’re from, right? Or a guy, maybe? Both? I’m definitely down for hearing about all the kinky shit you wanna share.” Campbell widened his eyes and put his chin on his fists as if I was going to spill all the information I’d never shared with the public.

“Knock it off, knucklehead.” Michaels shoved Campbell behind my back again. “Not everyone wants to share their private shit in public. Nor do they use a megaphone to declare their hookups like someone else at this table.”

“Yeah, Lavoie. Stop talking up your one-night stands in the locker room. Have some consideration.” Campbell poked the young defenseman, who had been caught up in conversation with some of the other players across the table.

“Huh, what?” Poor guy was confused. He was also a very reserved person. Campbell was being an idiot.

“Never mind, Lavoie. Ignore this joker, we’re cutting him off.” Michaels gave our young teammate a reassuring nod before turning back to his alternate captain. “You shit. Don’t drag innocent bystanders into your hijinks. You’ll give the rookies ulcers from trying to keep up with your nonsense.”

“Aw, you wound me, Captain. This is just soda. It’s cheat night.” He held up his glass. “Furthermore, are you referring to moi? I amthe paragon of virtue on this team.”

“You are the poster child of too many in-game concussions, is what you are.” Michaels laughed.

“But seriously.” Campbell was not deterred by our captain’s interference. “You missin’ someone, Yao?”

Though it took a convoluted route to get back to me, I had no problem with his original question. I taped my stick in pride colors for anyone I’d grown up with who hadn’t felt welcome in a locker. And as an adult in a position of influence, I proudly wore anything related to pride for all the other kids and teens who deserved to know there were people in this league that supported them.

Thankfully, the league had allowed us to continue using Pride Tape on our sticks, having backtracked on a previous ban. Not that it would have stopped me, regardless. I’d pay a fucking fine every time.

It was nobody’s business but my own. And it sure as shit wouldn’t hurt to have more 2LGTBQIA+ representation in any environment, but especially ours.

I stepped down off my mental soapbox.

“Nah. I’m not seeing anyone. My life’s been all about hockey for so long. It hasn’t been on my radar.”

They both nodded as they understood the sacrifices we all had to make. Though it certainly didn’t sound like Campbell was hurting for company.

As if on cue, Campbell stood. “If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I will be on my way to find a lovely lady to offer the pleasure of my company tonight.”

Just as he made to leave the table, Michaels called out to him. “That’s a pretty big call to make if you’re calling anything ‘pleasure’ in relation to yourself. Are you sure you can put your money where your mouth is?”

Campbell, not missing a beat, whacked him upside the head in a marginally friendly manner.

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